The Yellow Peril

The Yellow Peril
Apr 25, 2006 02:48
YELLOWPERIL Points: Join Date: Apr 25, 2006 Status: offline	One of the most enduring depictions of Asians in film has been the "yellow peril," an image that directly challenges the imperialist notion of the West. Yellow peril imagery has given rise to such notorious figures as Fu Manchu and Emperor Ming (of Flash Gordon fame), but it also includes many other figures. "A term first used mainly for Japanese and Chinese in the United States, it soon collapsed all of Asia into one yellow horde and became a catchword signifying the 'yellow menace' to Western Christian civilization." By compressing all Asian cultures into one single threat to American culture, Asians are demonized into cruel, power-mad, sexually driven monsters.

Apr 25, 2006 02:48

YELLOWPERIL
Points:
Join Date: Apr 25, 2006
Status: offline

One of the most enduring depictions of Asians in film has been the "yellow peril," an image that directly challenges the imperialist notion of the West. Yellow peril imagery has given rise to such notorious figures as Fu Manchu and Emperor Ming (of Flash Gordon fame), but it also includes many other figures.

"A term first used mainly for Japanese and Chinese in the United States, it soon collapsed all of Asia into one yellow horde and became a catchword signifying the 'yellow menace' to Western Christian civilization."

By compressing all Asian cultures into one single threat to American culture, Asians are demonized into cruel, power-mad, sexually driven monsters.

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